Home Again

[Flossy]

Well, we're finally back home in Yuma - (It's currently 100 degrees and climbing). It's good to be home again but the trip was great.

We started out in early May heading for Upper Peninsula, MI. From there we went to Goshen for a great time at the Newmar Int'l Rally. Picked up some goodies like new Bilstein shocks and a Safe-T-Plus. The new shocks and steering stabilizer worked great on the trip home and made the cross winds and trucks much more bearable. I also installed TST tire monitor system. The system worked well although I had one bad sensor that kept setting off the alarm. I finally removed the sensor and will send it back. I also removed the old CRT TVs front and rear and installed a 32 inch with DVD in front and a 20 inch in the rear with appropriate cabinet remodeling and great swing arms. The original queen bed was jettisoned and replaced with an air bed also. This all helped improve the CCC which the Mountainaire has very little of.

Early in the trip I had 6 new Toyo M154 tires mounted. They seem to work fine although initially they seemed a little skittish in front. Either I became used to them or the steering stabilizer helped alleviate the problem.

In Denver I developed a growl in the front end which turned out to be the AC compressor trying to die. I had the problem fixed at ATS in Colorado Springs which is the Workhorse service center in the area. They did a commendable job and had us out the door the same day the new compressor arrived from Reno with not too much damage to my pocketbook. We had a reasonable stay in their parking lot where they supplied power and offered water if I needed it.

The rig pulled the Rockies and other mountains fine. The only real slowdown was on I25 south, boy is that a long hill to climb to get into New Mexico! We slowed down to 25 mph nearing the top but kept on chugging. The transmission couldn't decide whether to be in 2nd or 1st but it made it over at any rate. I17 south from Flagstaff is another exciting place. The downhill grade is about 14 miles long and I tried to be as judicious on the brakes as possible but it was disconcerting watching the tire temperature climb as we descended. I had some concern about the current workhorse brake recall so I stopped near the bottom at a rest stop and let everything cool off. I think when I do it next time I will gear down lower than just turning off the OD.

All-in-all we traveled 6,324 miles. Going from sea level to over 8,000 ft and back again we averaged a hair over 7 MPG keeping the speed at about 63 - 64 mph. This winter I plan to look into the Ultrapower products and probably get everything upgraded (plugs, wires, ECM reprogram, etc). A rear trac bar is also in the offing.

The Mountainaire ran like a champ and was enjoyable to pilot down the road. We enjoyed our 4 months of living in the rig. We're looking at fall and winter rallys to drop in on now, as soon as we get caught up with doctor's appointments etc.

Thanks to all, especially Driver, Oemy, and Max, for the great advice along the way.